Arthur alexandre



2 sheets-'sheet 1.

Patented Oct-111,'1890l NVENTH'.'

By Y ATTORNEYS (No Model.)

A. ALEXANDRE.

W/ NE SSE S @W/Q/@ (No Modelg). 2 sheets-sheen 2.

A. ALEXANDRE.

l SPINNING To?. No; 4378.460. Pajented Oct. 14.1890.

UNITED STATES-'1* PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR ALEXANDRE, oF PARIS, FRANCE.

SPINNING TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,460, dated October 14, 1890.

Application tiled April 12, 1890, Serial No. 347,603. (No model.) Patented in France February 13, 1890, No. 203,770.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR ALEXANDRE, of Paris, France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops, (which has been patented in France February 13, 1890, No. 203,770,) of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of tops which are spun by means of a screw engaging a nut wit-hin the top; and the invention consists in providing the top with an attached sleeve, which not only serves as a handle by which the top may be held while withdrawing the screw to set the top in motion, but also permits of the top being held in any position while spinning and without retarding its motion.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the iigures.

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of a toy or spinning top, with the key inserted therein, embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of said top with the key removed, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional view of the upper part of the hollow spindle of the top under a modified form of construction, together with a portion of the loose handle or sleeve which surrounds said portion of the spindle. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal elevation representing a modified construction of the key. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the top with spindle adapted to it said key, and Fig. 6 represents a longitudinal sectional view of a modified construction of the loose sleeve or handle of the toy.

In Figs. l and 2 A is the body of the spinning-top, which may be of the usual or any approved construction, and B is its attached spindle provided with a spinning-point below and arranged to extend up through and above the body A and having a iianged upper end. This spindle is hollow for the greater portion of its length from its top, which is left open. Within such hollow portion of the spindle or socket are arranged any number of helices b-such, for instance, as are used in riied guns-so that a key C of corresponding construction on its body can be screwed into from or through the top of the spindle and made to engage with the threads or helices thereof. This key is provided with a loop or handle on its upper end, and around the upper portion of the spindle B, which projects above the body of the top, is fitted a loose Sleeve or handle D, arranged between suitable upper and lower stops.

The key G having been introduced down within the spindle B and the one hand of the operator applied to grasp the loose sleeve D to hold the top, it is only necessary, in order to spin the top, for the operator with his other hand to quickly pull on and withdraw the key, when a very rapid rotary motion will be communicated to the top and the latter continue to spin after the key has been withdrawn.

The sleeve D does not turn when held in the hand during the operation of the key on the top, and being secured upon the spindle B permits the top to be held in any positlon while being spun and also permits of its being grasped and held in any position while spinning.

The key, as shown in Fig. 1, is virtually a metal thread with a double twist, and instead of making the hollow spindle B with a helix, helices, or helical sections throughout its length, the spindle may be simply provided with a suitable number of internally-projecting spurs b for the same key to engage with, as shown, for instance, in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 4 the key C represents a solid core with screw-threads b on its lower end portion, and the spindle B of the top shown in Fig. 5 is of helical construction internally to correspond.

The spindle B is not restricted to any sectional form so long as it is provided with a helix or helical sections, and the key is of corresponding construction to engage therewith in the manner described.

In Fig. 6 the loose sleeve or handle D is provided with a cap g, made to cover the spindle B and its screw-threaded portion, so that while holding the handle the fingers cannot slide in between the handle and the spindle and be the cause of the top not spinning at its full speed.

Having thus described my invention, Iv

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The combination, with the body of a top IOO provided with a. hollow spindle having helices on its interior andV extending above the body of the top, said spindle being adapted to receive aI key corresponding in shape with the interior of the spindle, of a. sleeve secured upon the projecting end of the spindle to turn thereon, said Sleeve being of ailengthV to extend from the body of the top to the upper end of the spindle, and a cap secured to the upper end of the sleeve and projecting ro above the spindle, substantially is set forth.

ARTHUR ALEXANDRE. Vitnesses:

R. J. PRESTON, D. T. S. FULLER. 

